On February 22nd, 2007 Kirk Rundstrom, the singer/songwriter/guitarist for Split Lip Rayfield and Scroat Belly, passed away after a lengthy and heroic battle against cancer.

Kirk was, without debate, one of the most dynamic and passionate performers we have ever seen. To see him on stage was to see a man totally focused on, totally POSSESSED with, the music of the moment. He never ever took his audience for granted and delivered the goods with a ferocious energy that flowed through the room. I had personally seen him play some 75 times and it was never boring, it was never phoned in and it was hard to take my eyes off him. If you left a show of theirs without sweating, without losing yourself in the joyous abandon of music, it wasn't from his lack of trying. Standing still at a Split Lip show just wasn't an option. His gift was the ability to let rock and roll well up from its purest emotional state and give it to the room in all its liberating glory.

When Kirk was diagnosed in Spring 2006, he was given just a few months. It is a testimony to his incredible spirit that he was performing into this month.The fans that came out during this time filled the venues with palpable love. To have played a part in this accumulation of affection, in this tight knit community of Split Lip lovers, over the years is truly a humbling honor. He loved playing and it showed, and the fans loved him back.

Kirk is responsible for a lot of people having a LOT of fun over the years; if everyone could have that on their resumes, the world would be a much better place.

He is missed already.

Bloodshot Records
February 22, 2007

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Donations for Kirk's family can be made via Paypal at the band's website: splitliprayfield.com

Blistering love performances of PB24SS and Little More Cocaine Please, plus a documentary (featuring four other performances) can be found on the DVD Bloodied But Unbowed. This DVD features 31 videos and live performances from the likes of Ryan Adams, Bobby Bare Jr, Deadstring Brothers, Detroit Cobras, Alejandro Escovedo, Old 97s, and the Waco Brothers, 8 short films with appearances and performances by Neko Case, Kelly Hogan, The Meat Purveyors and others, plus a photo and poster gallery .

Also, these tracks are available exclusively as a digital download on the digital only "soundtrack" to the DVD.

We're having a huge poster sale, and while supplies last, you can pick up a copy of the Split Lip Rayfield poster for the Bloodshot release, Should Have Seen it Coming. And that's not all! $4.00 each or 3 for $10.00, we have posters by all of your favorite Bloodshot artists. Jim and Jennie, Detroit Cobras, Ryan Adams, Waco Brothers. Now's the time to buy before we run out.

Check out our Merchandise section for a complete listing of all posters for sale.